Emacs Keys: Menu Key

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

On most Windows keyboards, there's the ▤ Menu key, also known as App key. This page shows you how to use that key in emacs, on linux or Mac or Windows.

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ms surface book menu key 2016

Menu key on Microsoft Windows

On Microsoft Windows, by default, the menu key does nothing.

Under Windows, the menu key has the syntax "<apps>"

You can set it to do execute-extended-command

;; make the menu key do M-x
(when (eq system-type 'windows-nt)
  (global-set-key (kbd "<apps>") 'execute-extended-command))
;; make the menu key do M-x
;; emacs 29 new keybinding syntax
(when (eq system-type 'windows-nt)
  (keymap-global-set "<apps>" 'execute-extended-command))

Menu Key in Linux

In Linux GNU emacs, by default, ▤ Menu key invokes execute-extended-command

Under linux, the menu key has the syntax "<menu>"

Menu key on Mac

On Mac OS X, if you are using a Windows keyboard, the ▤ Menu key sends Ctrl+p by default.

How to fix menu key on the Mac?

Use a keyboard tool to remap key at operating system level. 〔see Mac: Keyboard Software Guide

Use of Menu Key Outside of Emacs